McGregor meets Poatan and comments on UFC controversy: "It was in the back of the head, I saw it"
Conor McGregor and Alex Poatan Pereira had an unprecedented meeting behind the scenes of UFC 329, this Saturday (11), in Las Vegas. Hours before returning to the octagon after five years away, the Irishman spoke to the Brazilian and commented on the controversy surrounding Poatan's last fight.
Recalling the duel against Ciryl Gane, at the UFC held at the White House, McGregor came to the Brazilian's defense and claimed to have seen illegal blows during the fight.
"It was in the back of the head, I saw it," said the former UFC champion when talking to Poatan.
The fight between Poatan and Gane ended surrounded by controversy. The Brazilian complained about several blows to the back of the head, considered illegal under MMA rules, and even showed the swelling caused by the impacts after the fight. Referee Herb Dean, the target of criticism, later published a video explaining his interpretation of the moves and even used a tape measure to demonstrate the limits of the area in which strikes are permitted.
Despite supporting Poatan's complaint, McGregor advised the Brazilian not to prolong the discussion. "Let it go!" he said.
The meeting marked the first time the two fighters were face to face. During the conversation, Poatan invited McGregor to do some activity together when the Irishman is available. In response, the former champion praised the Brazilian's children and stated that they have "the blood of champions".
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McGregor is the main attraction of UFC 329 and returns to the Octagon this Saturday after five years without fighting. The Irishman faces Max Holloway in the main fight of the event, held in Las Vegas.
Complete UFC 329 card
Preliminary card - 6pm (Brasília time)
- Alessandro Costa x Cody Durden - flyweight
- Ryan Gandra x Zachary Reese - middleweight
- Farid Basharat x John Garza - bantamweight
- Damian Pinas x César Almeida - middleweight
- Tracy Cortez x Wang Cong - women's flyweight
- Luke Riley x Kai Kamaka - featherweight
- Cody Garbrandt x Adrian Yañez - bantamweight
- Gable Steveson x Elisha Elliot - heavyweight
- Nikita Krylov x Robert Whittaker - light heavyweight
Main card - 10pm (Brasília time)
- King Green x Terrance McKinney - lightweight
- Brandon Royval x Lone'er Kavanagh - flyweight
- Cory Sandhagen x Mario Bautista - bantamweight
- Benoit Saint Denis x Paddy Pimblett - lightweight
- Conor McGregor x Max Holloway - welterweight
Five years away from the UFC were marked by controversies
Since his defeat to Dustin Poirier, in July 2021, Conor McGregor has remained away from the Octagon and accumulated a series of controversies. In addition to postponing his return due to physical problems, the Irishman was the target of investigations due to allegations of sexual assault in the United States, lost commercial contracts after being held responsible in a civil case for sexual assault in Ireland and even announced his intention to run for President of the country in 2025, with an anti-immigration speech. Between one episode and another, he was also involved in cases of dangerous driving, public arguments and frequent provocations to opponents on social media.
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Source: CNN